The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-10-09

recognition anu que credit Will De &C
corded the Latter-day Saints for their
magnanimity and self-control through
out this entire persecution.
PRIMARY ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.
In the organizations which have
been established among our people in
all our settlements in these noun
tainS, the advancement and training
and benefit of all classes are amply
provided for. Among no people of
whom we know anything have such
provisions been made for the salvation
and care of the henderson, society of
all ages as among the Latter day
Saints. If we and our children do not
progress in intelligence and in the
knowledge of all principles pertaining
to life here and lite hereafter, it is be-
cause we do not avail ourselves of
those facilities which are placed within
k0ur reach. We have the Primary As
sociations provided for the benefit OF
the young children of our Church, AND
their instruction in those simple prin-
ciples which they can understand. We
also have Sunday schools for the
training and education of those OF
larger growth. In them they can learn
the doctrines of salvation and the his
tory of the work of God, and DE pre-
pared for greater progress. Then we
nave the Young Mems and Young
Ladies' Mutual improvement AsSo
lciations, which have been organized, as
their names imply, for the development
of the young people of both sexes and
their advancement in every thing that
| will qualify them for lives of useful
ness and honor. But besides these Or
| CARNATIONS we have the various coun
] oil of hn rfA 70 off
| in which every young man who is
worthy can be ordained. The young
women, as they increase in years, can
also ind sphere of usefulness IN the
Relief Societies which have been Or
| gained Tor The purpose of assisting
| the Bishops and Counselers and
| Teachers of the Wards in caring tor
the poor and relieving the wants of the
suffering and distressed. Sc that by
means of these organizations, which
are of vast interest to US as people,
every one from early childhood to ma
| turity, can be led forward step by step,
from one degree of knowledge to an
other until fully qualified to discharge
all the duties of perfected and honor
able manhood and womanhood,
So far as we know the sisters who
have charge of the Primary Associa-
tions are doing most commendable
work in areusing interest in the lit
tie ones and in teaching them
in simple style those lessons
which are adapted to their under
standings. We hope chat in all our
settlements these associations will re-
ceive the constant care and attention
of our wise and judicious sisters. The
seed soWn in the hearts of the children
by the instructions impaired there
will produce in years to come an
abundant harvest that will gladden. the
hearts of the Saints who witness it.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS, ETC.
The progress of the Sunday School
cause ia Zion continues satisfactory,
though undoubtedly somewhat re-
tarded by the enforced absence from
its laborS and associations of so many
brethren and sisters VINO have in
former years taken an active interest
in its welfare. We notice, with pleas
ure, the constantly increasing numbe.'
of schools, teachers and scholars re-
ported by the officers of the Union and
the evident care taken by the presiding
local authorities in cur settlements to |
have a Sunday School as one of the |
first institutions established. We |
are also gratified to learn that |
in most of the foreign missions |
of the Church Sunday Schools |
and Improvement Associations |
are being organized wherever |
practicable. In Great Britain, in Con-
tinental Europe, in New Zealaad, and |
in the Sandwich Islands, as also in the |
branches scattered throughout the |
institutions are found contributing |
their influence in instructing and |
forming the character of the children
of the Latter day Saints.
The Mutual Improvement Societies |
are also accomplishing great good
thrOughoutou settlements. In connec-
ton with them and the Sunday Schools,
we desire to remind our brethren and
sisters who are engaged in the praise
worthy labor OF fostering these instl-
tutiOnS, that the original design in
Sunday Schools and In
provement Societies among US was,
that the children ana youth OF the
Saints should be made wise in the
principles Of the Gospel and their faith
be developed in the revelations of
God. This the officers and teachers
should keep constantly in mind The
books used should be almost without
the revelations of God US
contained in ancient and modern
together with the other
works OF the Church. The teachings,
while direct, brief and simple, should
be such as will Increase the faith, de-
velop the Yeneratinn and love, and
draw out the intelligence of the youth
ful bearers toward the divine princi-
pies OF Which by Goi's grace, we have
been made the custodians. All at
tempts, however slight, TO secGlarize
these institutions and to change them
so that they Will rot accomplish tie
ends sought fer in their creations,
should be discounte nanced. The
spirit and teachings OF the Gospel {
should hold undivided control in all
our illustrations connected with this
cause. In the theological anu other
classes all discussions should be F.,
avoided as much as possible on sub ID
ects which God IN His wisdom has not ]
pet fully revealed. We know there are / /
many persons who appear to take more :
delight in dwelling upon questions ,
which are mysterious and cannot very {
veil, in our present state of kHowl- |
9dge, be answered than they do upon 1
those subjects which are plain and L
simple and essential to present pro- L
sress. But the Lord has revealed v
20 much that we can understand | {